Grandmaster Fred Degerberg's Boxing Seminar

Today I had the privilege of attending a seminar taught by Grandmaster Fred Degerberg on boxing. We covered moves from primarily English Boxing - the western boxing many people are familiar with. We went over a lot of the stuff I learned with Mr. Jirov, but, we went more into the self-defense aspects of it.
In boxing there are 4 main strikes-
Jabs
Cross Punches
Hooks
Uppercuts
Also, there is a 5th punch, the overhead punch which is not as popular as the other four
We went over these four punches and how they apply to an idea called the 3d box- the 3d box splits up the range in a fight into height depth and width, and then allows for better training.
We went over a drill about moving away from contact, both with our feet and our bodies. We began by trying to touch our partners elbows, while they tried to touch ours and we were supposed to avoid being touched. Then we moved on to the same drill except for instead of touching elbows it was stepping on feet. Finally we combined the two. We used this movement drill to better turn into our punches.
On the self-defense side of boxing we talked about how you can't overturn into your strikes because you have to follow up with more attacks. We also talked about the knock-out buttons of the body.
One big target that can easily end the fight is the jaw, dislocating the jaw is very easy. When you throw your punch at the point of contact drop your fist and the jaw pops right out, leaving your opponent drooling and in pain. Usually this can end a fight, but, if they ignore their gaping jaw then you may have to follow up with a more devastating strike to somewhere like the temple or organs. This seminar really helped explain boxing not as a sport but as a martial art used for self-defense. I am so glad and honored to have learned from such a great master.
Thanks
Mr. Waaler

Boxing 2

So I revisited the Koncrete gym this morning and once again really enjoyed my time training with Mr. Jirov. Today we went over a lot more strikes and in the ring movements, we still worked out hard and even just doing the strikes was difficult.

Constantly he told me that I must be faster, speed was important for boxing, but, the most important thing was to stay relaxed. He joked how when people asked what he did for a living he said anesthesiologist - because he kept putting people under. The relaxing of your muscles will help your speed and in the end you want to help your opponent relax and fall asleep.

Time is getting short and I have found the last school I am going to visit, i can't wait - well actually i can and will have to wait seeing as i am not going until later this week.
Thank You
Mr. Waaler

Revisiting the Koncrete Gym

This Monday I will be returning to the Koncrete gym to learn more about Boxing and some of its technique and ideas. I just finished putting together the Boxing page on my blog, you should check it out. Also, if you want to learn more about the trainer, Vassiliy Jirov, you can visit the Koncrete Gym website, http://www.koncretegym.com/ and click on the trainers page. In addition to finalizing my visits to the Koncrete gym, I am making preparations to visit the last school of my project. As may comes closer and closer I get more and more excited to share all that I have learned.

Thanks
Mr. Waaler

Koncrete Gym

This Wednesday I took my first boxing class under the Olympic gold medalist and former IBF cruiser weight champion Vassiliy Jirov. Western Boxing is often not thought of as a martial art, more as a sport, but, it is still a martial art. This first class was just some basic moves and exercises, I was exhausted. We started out with jump rope, then we quartered the rope and had me jump forwards and backwards over it. We flipped some heavy bags and finished with some basic exercises.
Then we began the fun stuff, but by this time I was very tired.

Vassiliy demonstrated hitting the bags, and in the process broke one - " Too Strong" he said with a shrug.

We continued working on the bags, we finished up with the speed bag, which requires rhythm and coordination as well as strength. As hard as i tried I just couldn't get the speed bag as well as I had hoped.

 

At the end of the first class I had learned some important things about boxing, not just how much pain the drills can inflict, but also about wrist positions and how to hit. Also, Mr. Jirov explained that boxer's get to the point, a quick knock out in a fight so you don't have to be tired. This experience was amazing, and I thank the Koncrete gym and Mr. Jirov for giving me an opportunity. I will keep you updated for the next time i go.

Thanks

Mr. Waaler

The Path Changes

As I embark on the hardest part of my project, the rating of individual styles of martial arts I have come to the stage where I have found that my original proposal must be revised. Scoring each style is not practical, because every style brings something different, a different view and way of thinking through self-defense. Instead of scoring each style I will now be defining each style, describing its ideas and usages for self-defense. Going over what I learned from the style rather than whether or not it is better than another style. Understanding this I have changed from my original proposal to rate each martial arts style, instead I will be comparing them and assessing their comparative strengths and weaknesses. I will speak about how the style works, striking, sweeping, locks, maneuvers, philosophy etc. What I want to convey is that while every style of martial arts differs they all bring something to the table that is very similar, an increased ability to defend yourself, or the people who are important to you. I will also talk about what I learned from each style and how it has changed me personally and my outlook on self-defense. At the end of this project I will be making a power point presentation to my school, but, for everyone who follows my blog but does not attend my school, I will upload a secondary project end version of that power point

Thank You,

Mr. Waaler

American Kenpo 2

American Kenpo uses self-defense techniques to teach self-defense to beginners. A self-defense technique is a short form like combination of blocks, strikes and kicks. Each technique is designed for use off of a different attack, for example, off of a straight right punch or a left roundhouse punch. This forms the basis of self-defense. Progressing into the higher levels and ranks of American Kenpo the techniques become less and less rigid, allowing for them to be tailored, so they fit any situation or person. The techniques are a way to teach self-defense that makes it easier to conceptualize what moves flow together naturally and what moves work where. After learning as many techniques as it takes to become a high rank it becomes natural to perform certain movements which are what is desired so that in a real situation you have muscle memory to assist you in the heat of the moment. Grandmaster Ed Parker originally designed many techniques, but each generation after him has added to the arsenal of American Kenpo. Knowing many of these techniques myself, I believe that I am in a good position to better understand American Kenpo Self-Defense. Keep Reading!

Thanks

Mr. Waaler

Next in Line

I have been trying to get into contact with some other schools for me to visit, and have found a couple who I may be able to go and take some classes at. With these final two schools I would be on my way to finalizing my project. I have already visited 2 other martial arts schools, not including my own, so i have covered three of the 5 martial arts styles I am going to score. I am just waiting for confirmation from these other schools to go and visit their school. Also, I visited the self-defense school to have a better understanding of what pure self-defense is. I have begun the process of scoring each style, and I am finding it very difficult. The reason I am finding it difficult is because I know that all the instructors I have trained under are accomplished martial artists and are all great examples of martial artists. I would hate to make a score that they wouldn't agree with, the only problem is that no one is going to like a lower than amazing score on anything! But I trudge on through anyways, just making sure i stay true to what i have learned about the style.
Thanks
Mr. Waaler

Bodily Harm

When in a fight your main goal is probably to escape from the situation. In ideal circumstances you can get out of there with out any actual fighting happening - any fighting is risky, almost no matter how good at it you are. But, if you have to fight then remember you should only do as much damage to your opponent as you must to get away from the situation. Prolonging a fight when you can escape is a very dangerous thing to do and can result in you being defeated and mugged etc. The way to end a fight quickly is instead of trying to fight until they are knocked out or dead, you only need to fight until they cannot chase after you or pose a serious threat. For example, if you take out both of their knees, it is unlikely they are going to be able to follow you as you make your escape - and taking out their knees might be easier than knocking them out or such. Also, their are key points on the body where a good hit can really stop your attacker - Groin, eyes, throat, knees and temple. hitting one of these spots effectively will end a fight enough to allow you to get away from the fight. When dealing harm to the body be effective and concise. There is no need to punch someone in the stomach when you can poke their eye, and its more likely they can take a body punch and be fine than take an eye poke and be fine. Collapsing their throat is much easier than trying to grapple them into a choke, so just hit it hard and they will have a hard time breathing. Although this may seem a little gruesome, it is to save yourself or the people who matter to you, and to achieve this goal you must use all tools at your disposal. I sincerely hope you never have to get into a fight but, if you do please don't be afraid to use anything you can to escape.
Thanks
Mr. Waaler